Medical marijuana debate going to ballot

September 21, 2008|By CHARLES ROLTSCH Capital News Service

LANSING -- Michigan voters will decide Nov. 4 whether they want their state greener. Not with an environmental plan, but with the leaves of medical marijuana. Proposal 1 would establish marijuana as a legal remedy for some illnesses. Growing, possessing, selling or using marijuana is illegal under state and federal laws. Marijuana alleviates the pain associated with cancer, glaucoma, HIV and AIDS and many other ailments, according to marijuana proponents. Critics say smoking it is unhealthy and the proposal would encourage recreational use. The Michigan Department of Community Health spokesperson James McCurtis said his department couldn't legally take a stand on the proposal. "We sympathize with people who have debilitating diseases. On the other hand, marijuana is a drug that people smoke causing other health problems, so we see both sides of the issue," he said. The proposal also would allow registered patients to grow unspecified amounts of marijuana plants for personal consumption.